Men's Volleyball: Lasers rank No. 15 in NVA/AVCA Men's Division III Coaches poll

Posted: Mar 08, 2022

Link: NVA/AVCA Men's Division III Coaches poll

After defeating then-No. 1-ranked Springfield, 3-1, on March 1 in the Athletic Center, the Lasell University men's volleyball team earned a No. 15 ranking and received one first-place vote Monday in the NVA/AVCA Men's Division III Coaches poll.

This was the first time in the history of the men's volleyball program that the team received a first-place vote in the Division III national rankings. It also marks the first time that the program has been nationally ranked with Head Coach Jeff Vautrin '17 at the helm.

The Lasers (11-6, 5-1 GNAC) defeated Springfield for the first time in the history of the men's volleyball program last week. It also marked the first time that the team emerged victorious against the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.

The Lasers also defeated then-No. 5-ranked and GNAC-rival Wentworth, 3-1, on Feb. 19 in the Athletic Center. Lasell won nine straight matches from Feb. 3 - March 1, winning 27-of-32 sets during that stretch.

During the successful 2022 season, Lasell has received eight GNAC weekly awards. Jordan Shinaut has been named Rookie of the Week three times, while Jesus Garcia earned one Offensive and one Defensive Player of the Week award. Theo Zaharewicz (Rookie of the Week), Jan Baranowski (Offensive Player of the Week) and Brenden Joyce (Defensive Player of the Week) have also been recognized by the conference office.

Shinaut ranks second in the GNAC this season in hitting percentage (.322), third in kills per set (3.31), fourth in kills (162) and tied for fifth in solo blocks (11). Joyce has the third-most kills in the conference with 164, while Tucker Merritt is second in total blocks (42), tied for third in block assists (33) and fourth in blocks per set (0.86). Baranowski's 11 solo blocks are tied for the fifth most in the GNAC.

In the conference ranks, Garcia checks in at No. 2 in total assists (488) and third in assists per set (8.13). Alex Weinhaus ranks fifth in total digs (115) and fifth in digs per set (2.45). Zaharewicz is tied for second in solo blocks with 13.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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